How to Teach Your Dog Not to Dig Up the Yard

You come home and find a war scene: dirt scattered around, holes in the lawn, uprooted plants… and a dog with the most innocent face in the world. If this has ever happened to you, know that you are far from alone.

Teaching your dog not to dig up the garden is a common challenge, but with patience and a few of the right strategies, this behavior can be controlled — without yelling, without punishment, and with a lot more connection.

Digging is a natural behavior for dogs. It is linked to the instincts they inherited from their wild ancestors: hiding food, hunting prey, cooling off or even relieving boredom.

The problem starts when this becomes a destructive habit, which compromises not only the garden, but also the safety of the pet itself.

So how do you find the balance between respecting your dog’s natural behavior and keeping your yard tidy?

Why do dogs dig?

Before you try to fix it, you need to understand why dogs dig. Dogs dig for a variety of reasons — and identifying the cause is the first step to taking the right action.

Among the most common reasons are:

• Boredom and lack of stimulation: Bored dogs look for ways to entertain themselves. Digging is both a physical and mental activity.
• Excess accumulated energy: lack of walks and games can turn the garden into a race track with digging.
• Search for freshness: On hot days, the cool ground is a natural shelter.
• Hunting instinct: insect or rodent smells can trigger the digging instinct.
• Separation anxiety: When a dog feels alone for long periods of time, digging can be a way to relieve anxiety.
• Escape attempt: Some dogs try to get out of the area by digging near gates or walls.

Each cause requires a different approach — and the sooner the guardian realizes this, the easier the process will be.

Read also: Training for Anxious Dogs: What to Do?

How to teach your dog not to dig in the garden in a positive way

1. Increase your level of physical and mental activity

Dogs need to burn off energy. When they don't go for walks, play or have no stimulation, they end up redirecting that energy towards whatever is within reach.

Increasing the frequency and duration of walks, offering interactive toys, carrying out short training sessions and creating mental challenges at home are simple ways to keep your pet busy and, at the same time, strengthen the bond with him.

Practical example: John noticed that his dog Thor was always digging in the garden in the afternoon. By adjusting the schedule and taking a longer walk during this period, the behavior decreased within a few days. The dog was just trying to occupy his time.

2. Create an “official” digging spot

If your dog loves to dig, try to channel this into healthy ways. Instead of completely prohibiting it, how about giving it an authorized space?

Choose a corner of the yard, dig a little with your hands and hide toys or treats. Encourage your pet to dig there, praising him whenever he uses that spot. Over time, he will understand that he can only dig in that space.

This technique is especially effective with puppies and very active dogs.

3. Avoid scolding after the fact

If you come home and find your garden destroyed, but your dog is already calm or in another room, scolding him won't help. He won't associate the hole he made hours ago with the scolding he's receiving now.

Worse: he may develop a fear of you, without understanding why.

Correction should happen at the exact moment of the action — and even then, calmly and without harsh punishment. Saying “no” firmly, redirecting the behavior, and offering a positive alternative is much more effective.

4. Identify and eliminate potential soil stimuli

Some dogs dig because they smell insects, larvae, or small animals. If this happens frequently in the same spot, it’s worth investigating. You may need to control your garden with pest control products that are safe for animals.

Additionally, buried food scraps, exposed roots or decaying organic materials can also attract your pet's sense of smell.

5. Provide shade and thermal comfort

If your dog only digs on hot days and lies down in his holes afterwards, he is trying to cool off. In these cases, the solution is to provide him with a shady spot, fresh water and even a cold mat. This way, he doesn't have to resort to the ground as an alternative to the heat.

This type of digging usually occurs in breeds with thicker coats, such as huskies, Labradors, and golden retrievers.

A simple analogy: a garden is like a blank sheet of paper.

For a bored dog, the garden is like a blank sheet of paper with paint next to it: he will create art. And if he doesn't know what he can and can't do in that space, he will follow his own instincts.

The tutor's role is to guide, show limits and offer alternatives — without completely cutting off the desire to explore and play.

An important statistic

According to the American Kennel Club, destructive behaviors such as digging are present in up to 351% of dogs who do not receive enough mental stimulation on a daily basis. This shows how routine and environment directly influence behavior.

Stimulus is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

And when the problem is anxiety?

Dogs who are left alone for long periods of time without interaction may dig as a way to relieve stress. This digging tends to be intense, impulsive, and often occurs near gates or fences.

If this is the case, evaluate your routine. See if you can arrange outings, leave toys filled with treats, or even invest in environmental enrichment training.

Example: Luiza started leaving stuffed toys with kibble in the yard before she left. Over time, her dog Branquinho started spending more time playing with the toy than digging — and the garden thanked her.

What not to do at all

• Do not hit, yell or rub the dog's nose in the hole.
• Do not use strong-smelling products or peppers on the soil — this can irritate the sense of smell and cause discomfort.
• Do not restrain the dog for long periods as punishment.

These attitudes can generate fear, insecurity and even worsen the problem. Behavior change must come from understanding, not fear.

Conclusion

Teaching your dog not to dig in the garden It's not about taking away what he likes, but rather about redirecting that energy into something healthier — both for him and your home.

When the owner understands the causes and acts with empathy, the pet responds with more balance and confidence.

By creating a rich routine, offering varied stimuli and establishing loving boundaries, you create an environment where your dog feels safe, loved and respected. And an emotionally balanced dog has less destructive behavior.

Your garden can be beautiful and your dog can be happy at the same time. You just need to show him the right path. How about starting today?

Common Questions About Dogs Digging in Gardens

1. My dog only digs when I'm away. Is this normal?
Yes. This could indicate boredom or separation anxiety. Try to enrich the environment while you are away.

2. Is there any breed that digs more than others?
Yes. Terriers, for example, were bred to hunt rodents and tend to dig more. But any dog can develop this habit.

3. Can I use sand instead of soil in the digging area?
Yes! Many dogs enjoy digging in the sand. Just make sure to keep the area clean and safe.

4. How do I know if my dog is digging because of pests?
If he always digs in the same place at similar times, he may be noticing the sounds or smells of insects in the soil. Have a professional evaluate it.

5. What should I do if my dog eats dirt while digging?
Eating dirt may indicate a nutritional deficiency or simply a behavioral habit. Consult your veterinarian to investigate.